T-Mobile and Verizon reach out to those in Chile

Carriers do not charge for the text messages. Customers will not be charged for the text messages, and the $10 donation will appear on their regular monthly bills.Its nice to see large corporations put aside the capitalistic need for money and do something that is just the right thing to do. With the recent earthquake in Chile, T-Mobile and Verizon have come forward to offer free phone calls to Chile to those trying to contact their loved ones. Verizon has stated that the calls will be free until March 6th. T-Mobile hasn’t stated when their free calls will stop.

Also, just like what was done during the disaster in Haiti, people can send money to Chilean earthquake relief efforts via text on mobile phones:

Make a $10 donation to Habitat for Humanity, text the word “CHILE” to 25383;

Make a $10 donation to World Vision, text the word “CHILE” to 20222.

Text “CHILE” to 52000 to donate $10 to the Salvation Army in Latin America.

Text the word “CHILE” to 90999 to donate $10 on behalf of the American Red Cross.

Text “REBUILD” to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA.

Text “YOUTH” to 20222 to donate $10 to UNICEF.

The carriers are not charging for these text messages.

Its a wonder to watch how the use of simple texting technology is transforming how the world helps those in need when a disaster strikes. I wish this had been in place when Hurricane Andrew hit my home in 1992, or when Katrina hit in 2005. I think more even more people would have gotten involved if it was as simple as sending a text message.

A 15-year veteran of the tech wars, Amy is a gadgetgrrl from way back. Amy is started with the her first PDA, a Palm Pilot III all the way through her current sidearm, a T-Mobile G1. She suffers technolust like any good gadgetgrrl, but its always tempers with whether it will match her shoes and handbag. She bounces from one device to another. She is an OS agnostic-- liking them all for different reasons. She has seen it all and wants to see more.